People 60 and older who don't have prescription drug coverage or who are on Medicare but fall through the program's prescription drug gap will be eligible for the card regardless of their income. The cards will be accepted by more than 3,000 retail pharmacies in the state.

The program will also be available to people under age 60 who don't have prescription drug coverage if their income is below a certain level.

Nearly 4 million people are expected to be eligible for the cards, Crist said, and the card will provide discounts on most prescription drugs.

"For many who experience chronic health conditions, prescription drugs can be the key to a good quality of life," Crist said. "Unfortunately, many working families and seniors struggle to afford the medications that they need every day."

Savings will vary depending on the drug, but on the most commonly prescribed medicines will range from 5 percent to more than 40 percent, Crist said.

The program, based on one in Ohio, won't cost the state any money. Essentially, the program is just negotiating lower prices with drug makers by making a large pool card holders available as customers.

The only fee is a one-time $1.50 activation charge tacked on to the cost of the first prescription.

Besides those over 60, younger people will also be able to get one of the cards if their income is low enough. For individuals, the threshold is $30,636 a year. Families of four whose income is below $61,956 will be eligible.

Health advocates welcomed the proposal.

"If the plan provides Floridians with significant bargaining leverage, it could be an important step toward cutting the high cost of prescription drugs," said AARP Florida director Lori Parham.

But she said prescription drug costs are just one of the problems making it hard for people to get affordable care, and that a broader answer needs to be sought.

Crist was asked whether the state might eventually push for a broader health care initiative. Some other states, most notably California and Massachusetts, have put forth wider plans to dramatically reduce the number of uninsured.

Crist said he and other top state officials "have been working on that," and hoped to present a broader plan early next year, possibly before the legislative session in the spring.

State officials also rolled out a Web site for the program, where potential users can sign up and see what kind of discounts they might get on their drugs. It also has participating pharmacies.